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Format Details:
Release Date: 05 December 2025
Label: This Charming Man Records
Packaging Type: Slip Sleeve (CD or Vinyl)
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 4059251686187
Genres: Rock Kraut Rock
Description
Playing it cool like it's 1974! But what's oozing out of those bass-heavy speakers actually comes from the year 2025 and goes by the name Seoi Nage, who are now making their debut--a hybrid of 1970s funk and film scores somewhere between Eastern cinema and Italian giallo. Detective music, but beyond noir--drenched in vibrant colors, packed with car chases, hedonism, and the occasional brawl.
The name Seoi Nage, a classic judo throw, was a natural choice given the band members' shared background in martial arts. The four musicians first crossed paths in Munster a few years ago: Jakob Hersch (Taishogoto), Anton Zimmermann (drums), Pascal Schaumburg (electric guitar & synthesizer), and Pogo McCartney (bass guitar, electric guitar, percussion, synthesizer & piano). Initially a studio project, Seoi Nage occasionally took the stage in recent years, accompanied by film projections from Simon Buchting, who visually captured their retro-esque sound. Following an initial EP, the project kept growing--and now, finally: an album!
No Retreat, No Surrender. The title promises action!
Across eleven tracks, Seoi Nage sound like a lost movie quote--perhaps even better executed than the original. Their music tells stories without words, serving up a sonic crime thriller, sometimes sleazy, always playful, embodying the mischievous spirit of a bygone decade. It's martial arts turned into sound, a meticulous aesthetic discipline, where four musicians have found perfect harmony. Multi-instrumentalist Pogo McCartney, who also produced the album in his Munster-based studio, and drumming prodigy Anton Zimmermann create an unshakable groove. On this rhythmic foundation, Pascal Schaumburg--McCartney's longtime bandmate from Messer--unfolds his meandering guitar ideas, while Jakob Hersch (Der Ringer, Monako, wohinn) adds pointed melodic peaks on the Taishogoto, an unconventional instrument that gives the songs their distinctive catchiness.
If the kind of dazzling cinema this album recalls still existed, this quartet would be the dream team for its soundtrack! Their sound is infused with film samples from half a century ago, reflecting a youthful pop sensibility akin to the legendary hip-hop and sample pioneer MF Doom, who passed away in 2020. This approach isn't just about borrowing--it's a tribute, an enthusiastic and reverent continuation of the past. Seoi Nage dive deep into sonic realms, crafting daring musical architecture, summoning imagined ghosts--not for mere escapism, but to spark the listener's own imagination.
If there were a dedicated record store section for a sound like this, it would be labeled "Fan Art Music."
The album was mixed by Pogo McCartney, mastered by Alexander von Horsten, and visually brought to life by Benny Demmer's cinematic artwork.
And now--keep watching. With your ears.
FFO: Yin Yin, Khruangbin, GOAT, Altin Gun
Tracklisting
Seoi Nage
No Shelter
Piece
Sex Beat
Ultra Nothing
Leatherman
Phantom Winter
Mouth
